COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the members of the United Coalition of Ohio Auto Recyclers (UCOAR) redoubled their opposition to SB 273 and called for thorough examination of the effects of eliminating vital licensing, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for individuals who would be allowed to purchase severely damaged and flooded vehicles at salvage pools and auctions.

"We have opposed SB 273 and the idea behind it almost since it was first filed," said George Sapir, a spokesperson for UCOAR and Chief Executive Officer of 96 year old family-owned company. "The amendment that was hastily adopted at the House Insurance Committee meeting removed the essential consumer protection, tracking, and recordkeeping provisions that attempted to assist law enforcement and the general public in identifying fraudulent salvage vehicle transactions."

SB 273 seeks to eliminate the BID card system –a proven procedure that has been used for several years in Ohio to give access to the salvage pools and auctions to licensed, law-abiding auto salvage operators only. Consequently, SB 273 would allow unqualified individuals to purchase badly damaged vehicles at salvage pools and auctions. UCOAR opposes these legislative efforts because of potential liabilities associated with consumer safety and environmental quality. Furthermore, SB 273 poses additional risks associated with significant job losses throughout Ohio's auto salvage industry.

George Sapir further explained, "This bad piece of legislation could put families like mine who have been in the auto recycling industry from generation to generation out of business. During this lame duck session, there is too little time to discuss how these changes are going to affect Ohio's auto recyclers, consumers, and the environment."

Auto recyclers across the state are coming together with one voice to send a strong message to the House Insurance Committee to stop SB 273, which is scheduled for a fifth hearing and a possible vote on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 3:00 pm.

There are more than 650 licensed auto and truck salvage recyclers in the state of Ohio. UCOAR is a coalition of recyclers and other interested partners who are committed to delivering a unified message to legislators and the general public that SB 273 is bad public policy that could compromise job growth, consumer safety, and environmental protection.

Updates from UCOAR on this important issue are available at www.ucoar.org.